Gender Specialist, ICS 11 (L-4)

Description:

Job ID: 1291
Location: Africa
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Rotation: This post is non-rotational.

The Gender Specialist supports the strengthening and management of UNFPA's Gender Unit composed of a National Program Officer, Program Associate and NPPP (based at the Ministry of Social Affairs) and support national capacity building, including the national coordination unit based at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Child Protection.

Organizational Setting:

Under the supervision of UNFPA Representative, the Gender Specialist provides the technical and managerial support required for the design, planning and implementation of the strategies and activities of the Gender component of the country programme in order to achieve its expected results. He/She will enhance the leadership and the visibility of UNFPA in the area of gender equality, empowerment of women and human rights.

Main Tasks & Responsibilties:

• Provide technical support for the implementation, monitoring and review of 2007-2011 UNFPA programs in Guinea. This will be done through the provision of leadership, strategic and technical guidance to UNFPA staff and partners (such as the Ministry of Social Affairs and Child Protection and national and international NGOs) on gender issues.
• Provide support for participatory and gender-responsive mechanisms to monitor and evaluate progress towards national gender-related outcomes as reflected in the country program action plan (CPAP).
• Facilitate knowledge building by identifying and synthesizing best practices and lessons learned on effective implementation of gender priorities; identifying national policies and laws that require strengthening to ensure that gender equality issues are effectively addressed; contributing to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Build the capacity of UNFPA gender unit, UNFPA overall staff and national and other partners on gender mainstreaming, culture sensitive programming and the human rights-based approach.
• Support UNFPA’s leadership role as Chair of UN Gender theme group and represent UNFPA in consultations with government, multilateral and bilateral partners, and civil society, to ensure that gender issues are effectively mainstreamed with the their program.
• Carry out managerial and administrative functions as follows:

• Assist in the organization and participate actively in meetings and desk reviews and undertake monitoring missions to assess progress of the AWP implementation including appropriate substantive and administrative follow-up actions.
• Support the implementation of the Gender AWP and the technical/annual and financial reviews of the Gender AWP through the preparation of internal documents to assess progress of implementation.
• Provide technical support to the coordination unit located in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Child Protection and provide linkages to ensure functional flow of information through effective use of all communication media between UNFPA and its partners.
• Oversee, monitor and analyze on a continuous basis, gender program implementation, including preparing program and financial reports.
• Undertake any other assignments as may be given by UNFPA Representative

Qualifications and Experience:

• Advanced university degree with specialization in areas such as women/gender studies, international relations, international development, program communication, international development, social anthropology and/or other related social science disciplines.
• At least 7 years of increasingly specialized experience in gender and gender-based violence programming; at least 5 years at the international level, including some in West Africa;
• Demonstrated leadership and managerial qualities in organizing work harmoniously within a multinational and multicultural environment;
• Excellent command of French and English;
• Personal qualities must include maturity, self-confidence, outstanding communication skills, initiative, strong conceptual abilities, sound judgment and organizational skills (including time management). Strong interest in development work especially in the mission of the United Nations Population Fund and dedication to the UN principles.

Core Competencies:

• Commitment to UNFPA's Values and Guiding Principles;
• Developing People/Fostering Innovation and Empowerment/Performance Management;
• Team Work/Communication/Self-Management
• Strategic Thinking/Results Orientation and Commitment to Excellence/Decision Making;
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Learning

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual innovation in the provision of technical expertise
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Job knowledge/technical expertise
• Adaptation/application of knowledge in different contexts
• Integration in a multidisciplinary environment

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.

To Apply:

Please apply online at: http://www.unfpa.org/employment/vacancy.html

Closing date: December 15, 2008.